In March of 2019, after 45 years in Routt County, outdoor adventuring in every style and corner of the world, the Smith family decided that north Routt, with the Elk River, was a place for the family to spend more time. The Elk River Guest Ranch platform supported so many of the things that they loved to do themselves, including their sincere love of sharing. With a lifetime background in guiding others to enjoy skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, biking, hiking, and exploring all the wild country, the Smiths are ultimately qualified to share their love of this country.
How Qualified: Extreme!!
Barry and Deb have both worked in the Hospitality area of the Ski Industry for decades. Barry has been a ski instructor for Steamboat Ski Area for 45 years, Nordic and Alpine. He is the past Chief Examiner for the Rocky Mountain Professional Ski Instructor Association (for over 30 years), training Ski Instructors to teach. Deb managed Guest Services and Ticketing at the Steamboat Ski Area for nearly 30 years. But more involved than that, Deb currently manages a significant portfolio of private property rentals and hospitality services, making a habit of providing what you seek. And oh, by the way, Barry and Deb started the area’s renowned Mountain Sports Kayak School about 40 years ago, (now run by their son Marty and his best girl Jenny-an outdoors woman in her own right). All the rest of the family, a total of two sons and two daughters, really took to the outdoors in a big way. Marty running the Kayak School and Charlie, youngest, a supreme Fishing Guide in the area who teaches skiing in Aspen for the winter months. Both are expert area guides in many outdoor disciplines (Biking, Kayaking, paddle boarding, Mountaineering, Fishing, snowmobiling, Skiing)) …oh and by the way, lets not leave out daughter Leigh Ann, an equine professional with her own businesses, and Brooke a business consultant, living with her family in Norway and traveling internationally sharing warmth and western hospitality, they all hope to make you feel like you're coming home when you drive through the archway at Elk River.
How Qualified: Extreme!!
Barry and Deb have both worked in the Hospitality area of the Ski Industry for decades. Barry has been a ski instructor for Steamboat Ski Area for 45 years, Nordic and Alpine. He is the past Chief Examiner for the Rocky Mountain Professional Ski Instructor Association (for over 30 years), training Ski Instructors to teach. Deb managed Guest Services and Ticketing at the Steamboat Ski Area for nearly 30 years. But more involved than that, Deb currently manages a significant portfolio of private property rentals and hospitality services, making a habit of providing what you seek. And oh, by the way, Barry and Deb started the area’s renowned Mountain Sports Kayak School about 40 years ago, (now run by their son Marty and his best girl Jenny-an outdoors woman in her own right). All the rest of the family, a total of two sons and two daughters, really took to the outdoors in a big way. Marty running the Kayak School and Charlie, youngest, a supreme Fishing Guide in the area who teaches skiing in Aspen for the winter months. Both are expert area guides in many outdoor disciplines (Biking, Kayaking, paddle boarding, Mountaineering, Fishing, snowmobiling, Skiing)) …oh and by the way, lets not leave out daughter Leigh Ann, an equine professional with her own businesses, and Brooke a business consultant, living with her family in Norway and traveling internationally sharing warmth and western hospitality, they all hope to make you feel like you're coming home when you drive through the archway at Elk River.